Crying in older babies
As babies grow, they become more adept at communicating their needs to their parents, and their parents, in turn, become better at knowing what their baby wants. As a result, older babies tend to cry less, but when they do cry it can still be hard to determine what’s wrong.
Older babies tend to cry for some of the same reasons as small babies, but sometimes the causes can be a little more complex.
Hunger and thirst: Just like smaller babies, older babies will still cry if they are hungry, or thirsty.
Discomfort: The older your baby gets, the more she will be bothered by the discomfort caused by a dirty or wet nappy. If the diaper isn’t the problem, check to see if her clothing is too tight, or whether she may be too hot or too cold.
Tiredness: Older babies will often cry inconsolably if they become over-tired, or over-stimulated, so try putting her somewhere quiet where she can calm down without being distracted and hopefully fall asleep.
Boredom: As babies get older, they need more stimulus and can often get bored if they are strapped in their pushchair or stuck in their playpen with little to do or look at. Your baby may just want to have a bit of a change of scenery, or she may have tired of her supply of toys and want some human company instead. It’s not too early to start reading to older babies – she’ll enjoy the sound and rhythm of your voice and will enjoy looking at pictures in a book. Try putting on some music, and experiment with different styles and rhythms.
Frustration: If your baby has spotted something she wants to investigate and is somehow thwarted in her attempts to do so, she will doubtless start to get very frustrated. While she may not yet be at the stage of throwing full-blown tantrums, she won’t hide her frustration if things don’t go her way. She may be desperate to get up on her feet and start exploring on her own terms, so consider getting her a door-hanging bouncer to help her get mobile.
Loneliness: If your baby has been left on her own for a while, she may start to get lonely and crave some company other than that of her stacking cups. If you’re busy with household tasks, try taking her with you rather than leaving her on her own – get her involved in what you’re doing.
Teething: Babies can teeth at any point in their first year, but it occurs most frequently in the latter part of the first year. The first teeth to come through are the front top and front bottom teeth and all babies react differently to the pain; some will seem very irritable and others will hardly notice. Older babies may be affected by their molars (the teeth at the side of the gums) coming through.
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If you have any unanswered questions, use our questions page to gain wisdom from other mums or our resident experts for all those pregnancy or baby-related niggles. Also, have a look at our Kit Section where we list our top-rated baby equipment.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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